In the foothills of the Maluti mountain area of the Free State in South Africa lies the Golden Gate National Park, so called because of the light cast by the sun on the Sandstone Cliffs causing wonderful shades of gold in particular on the Brandwag Rock in the area of the rest camp. This is an area that everybody should visit while touring in South Africa
The park covers an area of 11,600 hectares and is the natural habitat of black wildebeest, oribi, blesbok, eland, springbok and Burchell’s zebra amongst a variety of other Mammals. When the area was declared a National Park it was decided that instead of re-introducing one of “the Big Five” into the area, that both the water mongoose and sungazer lizard would be re-introduced to the area which is their natural habitat.
Bird enthusiasts will be interested to note that nesting on the ledges of the cliffs in the Golden Gate Park are extremely rare birds such as the bald ibis and the bearded vulture. Many other varieties of birds are found within the park as well. Found in the sandstone rocks are many caves housing well preserved Bushman paintings. These caves were also once used as hiding places by Afrikaners during the Boer war.
Typical of Highveld summers, there are often thunder storms in the afternoons and winters are cold with the sporadic snowfalls that turn the Golden Gate National Park into a magnificently white vista of beauty. There are various trails that hikers will appreciate in particular the 31 km Rhebok Trail. Other activities in the area for tourists include tennis, bowls, horse riding as well as beautiful mountain pools to swim in.
After a visit to Golden Gate National Park in the Free State visitors can then travel the Maloti Route along the R26 passing through towns like Ladybrand, Hobhouse, Wepener, Vanstadensrus all close to the border of the Kingdom of Lesotho, until reaching the town of Zastron which lies at the foot of the Aasvoelberg which is the highest peak in the Free State just a few kilometers from the Lesotho Border.
There is accommodation all along the Maloti Route stretching from Golden Gate National Park to Zastron. Hotels, Bungalows, Caravan Parks and camping facilities are available for vacationers at reasonable prices.